The Emergency Shelter's proposal calls for relocating its existing facility to property it owns at 2 Merritt Place.

Under the plan, the shelter would renovate and move into the existing two-story building. The shelter would operate 106 beds, as well as a number of family units and efficiency apartments.

"It's basically to make things better. Right now, there is not enough room to do programs, to provide more services to our clients," Carol Antonetz, emergency shelter executive director, told The Hour earlier Wednesday.

As The Hour approached deadline, the public hearing before the city's Zoning Commission had just started, but commissioners had questioned David F. Waters, the attorney representing the emergency shelter.

"A vote is clearly not going to be cast tonight," said Commissioner James White, adding much more discussion would be required.

Earlier, Waters and commissioners agreed on one key point: Narrowing the definition of where the facility would be allowed.

"My belief is that a transient residence facility is best to serve homeless folks ... and is most needed where you would have homeless people," said Commissioner Adam Blank. "Why not have the definition be a quarter mile from the South Norwalk Train Station?"

Answered Waters: "If that is what you chose to do, we would not object to that. It is not our intent to create mushrooming little homeless shelters everywhere. ... As long as that facility is allowed to be located (at 2 Merritt Place), that's all we care about."

To move, the emergency shelter is proposing that a "transient residence facility" be a permitted use within an Industrial 1 Zone (the current shelter at 4 Merritt St. is a grandfathered use).

The proposed definition -- which Blank suggested tightening -- requires the facility to be located within a quarter mile of a train station, provide free legal services, a health-care clinic, educational and vocational training and other services used by homeless persons.

Waters said the emergency shelter has operating guidelines which prohibit "weapons, drugs and alcohol" in the facility. Those violating the rules are thrown out, he said.

"Is there a log of people who have failed this rule?" asked Jackie Lightfield, Zoning Commission chairwoman. "I would ask that you submit it to us."

Commissioner John Tobin asked whether the commission has "any discretion to deny sex offenders" use of the facility. Waters said the commission has "a right to put reasonable restrictions" on the proposed relocation. Some residents at the hearing believed the proposal actually would relocate the shelter to East Norwalk.